Darren is a theater director who specializes in creating original musicals, queer theater and unique storytelling rooted in autobiography.  

As Broadway reopened in the fall of 2021, Darren returned as Resident Director for the re-launch of THE LION KING and then continued his work as Associate Director on James Lapine’s FLYING OVER SUNSET at The Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. 

Recent projects include developing and directing a new 10-person drag version of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at The Gulfshore Playhouse (with Michele Ragusa and Stephanie Pope) and the 60th Anniversary Concert of WEST SIDE STORY with The Phoenix Symphony (conducted by Tito Munoz; with Matt Doyle, Gabrielle McClinton and Morgan Hernandez). 

Original projects include SQUIRREL HEART written and performed by Sarah Stiles; PUB CRAWL written and performed by Rory O'Malley; GOD MAKE ME SEXY by Craig Harwood and Sxip Shirey; THE REAL TRUE STORY by Holly Gewandter (Mass MoCA, Joe’s Pub, Second Stage); and SEXCURITY, written and performed by Yuval Boim (Cleveland Public Theatre, Joyce Soho, Dixon Place and IRT). 

Other original works include developing and directing ODD SQUAD LIVE!, a new musical based on the Emmy Award winning PBS show by creators Tim McKeon and Adam Peltzman (Mills Entertainment, Producer). Also, YOU SAY TOMATO I SAY SHUT UP based on the book by Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn (Orin Wolf/OBB, Producer); and I GOT SICK THEN I GOT BETTER by Jenny Allen (co-directed with James Lapine; New York Theatre Workshop, Producer).

Additional credits include Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES at The Gulfshore Playhouse (with Erin Davie and Mary Stout); CUT THE SHIT by Stan Richardson and The Representatives; the 10th Anniversary Original Cast Concert of THE 25TH PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (co-directed with James Lapine); LIFT UP YOUR SKIRT, written and performed by Kathy Najimy; HA! THE MUSICAL by Michelle Wendt (with Kevin Farley, Christian Finnegan and Big Jay Oakerson); THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (2nd National Tour); ELEANOR & HICK by Tom Wilson Weinberg and Peggy Stafford (with Lea Delaria, Cady Huffman and Mary Testa); HAPPY SUNSHINE KUNG FU FLOWER by Matthew-Lee Erlbach; numerous club shows with the king of downtown burlesque, Murray Hill; and the development of original shows at Pace University and NYU/Strasberg Studios.

Darren was Resident Director of THE LION KING on Broadway from 2010 to 2015, during which the show became the highest grossing musical in Broadway history.  He was the Resident Director for the Broadway production of SPELLING BEE; Associate Director for the San Francisco/Boston and the 1st national touring productions; Associate Director for Kathy Najimy on BACK TO BACHARACH AND DAVID in Los Angeles; and Assistant Director on the Broadway productions of AMOUR, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER and the National Tour of KISS ME KATE. 

Originally from Cleveland, Darren lived in Manhattan for over 30 years, and recently re-located to Berlin, Germany with his husband and two daughters.  

Education: BA in Urban Studies with a concentration in Architecture from Columbia University.